I forgot to post this in yesterday’s blog, but last night I found out an interesting fact. I asked Pat and Ablerto if they make Alfredo sauce with their pasta sometimes and they gave me the weirdest look. They said, “Alfredo is a person not a sauce”. They didn’t know anywhere in Italy that makes Alfredo sauce!! The Olive Garden has been lying to us all these years, claiming to make authentic Italian dishes. I don’t know about you but I feel taken advantage of.
On a lighter note, I hate to jinx myself, but I had a great day with the boys. Hardly any tears (I didn’t say perfect). I had both of them from 4-7:30. After I picked Ruggie up from school we went to park across the street and played for almost 2 hours. This morning I went to the gym that Pat goes to every week. Her personal trainer gave me a free pass for a week so I decided to visit an Italian gym. I was smaller than American gyms but it reminded me of the Rec center at Tech. After running for 15 minutes (and not dieing) I celebrated by going to the grocery store to pick up a few things Pat needed. Right before lunch I got another really bad nosebleed, so I decided to text Pat to see if she could set up an appointment with her doctor. She called to make sure I was doing okay and told me not to worry they were going to take care of me (ahhh). After dinner Alberto took me to one emergency room but the waiting line was very long so we went to the main Hospital of Torino where they have an ear, nose and throat doctor working nights. The hospital was ugly and very old. I could not believe how different they are from hospitals in America….night and day. We didn’t have to wait very long and the doctor was very nice. She spoke a little English but Alberto was there to translate. She wore an old fashioned doctor’s headband with a light in the front and used medal forceps to look in my nose. She said that I had some damaged capillaries and she prescribed a gel and oral medicine that comes in glass tubes you have to break open. It was very interesting to see inside a hospital even though they give me the creeps. I am feeling much better than I did this afternoon and I’m sure with this medicine I will be fine in a few days. I used the gel tonight before bed so we’ll see how it works.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Saving Grace
Weekends are the saving grace of this job. Even though I don’t usually get off until 2 in the afternoons on Saturday and have to work at nights on Sunday, I still love having the weekends off. Last week was a very hard week with the children’s behavior and when the clock struck 2 I was out the door like flash lighting.
Saturday was terrific. I really just wanted alone time so I walked downtown to the center. I went into several clothing stores and even tried on some things, dreaming as I went along ☺ from there I walked to Carlos Alberto Square and did some people watching for a while. Then I went to the Royal Palace in the center of Piazza Real. I didn’t want to spend to much money because I am saving up for Rome in two weeks, so I went to the courtyard and walked around inside without buying a ticket to see the rooms. (Eventually I will go on the tour though). Then I walked to the Duomo church (the Savoy’s official church when they were in power). This was a fantastic little church that is still in operation. The neatest thing about this building is it is the home to the Turin Shroud (supposable the garment Jesus was wrapped in when he was buried) Even if it has been proven that the man imprinted on the cloth is not Jesus, it was still a wonderful thing to see, plus information was written in English so that helped. I went back to Piazza Castello (Plaza of the Castle) and took pictures of the castle standing in the middle. By this time it was late afternoon so I decided to head towards home. I bought some gelato and listened to a street performer play his guitar. On the walk back I stopped off at a Deli and bought a homemade pizza for dinner. That night I baked my pizza and watched two movies I had rented at Blockbuster. The night was very relaxing and most importantly, CHILD FREE.
Watch out Martha Stewart
On Sunday I went to the international church again. The talk was on the prodigal son but there was a twist I had never heard. We focused more on the father in the story and not on the selfish acts of the youngest, and at times the oldest, son(s). After the service I went with my Ghana friends to their Aunt’s house for lunch. The meal was okay but African food kinda weirds me out so I didn’t eat very much. Emmanuel took me home in the afternoon and I relaxed. About 5 I decided to do some baking. I made some banana bread but this was my first time to ever make it so I was nervous it would turn out horrible. I am what you call a HAM cook; hit and miss. But this time I HIT it right out of the park (after all it is baseball season ☺) After dinner the family tried it and the parents liked it. Fil only liked it with jam on it but hey I can’t please everyone. After dinner I helped Pat call hotels in America for their trip in August. What a relief it is to speak with another America. I have friends here that speak English but it’s not the same. You can talk at regular pace and use more slang. This coming week is going to be very trying because I have Fil everyday and both boys every night with no time off. So wish me luck that I don’t cause physical harm to them.
PS. I have updated my pictures so be sure and check out the website
Saturday was terrific. I really just wanted alone time so I walked downtown to the center. I went into several clothing stores and even tried on some things, dreaming as I went along ☺ from there I walked to Carlos Alberto Square and did some people watching for a while. Then I went to the Royal Palace in the center of Piazza Real. I didn’t want to spend to much money because I am saving up for Rome in two weeks, so I went to the courtyard and walked around inside without buying a ticket to see the rooms. (Eventually I will go on the tour though). Then I walked to the Duomo church (the Savoy’s official church when they were in power). This was a fantastic little church that is still in operation. The neatest thing about this building is it is the home to the Turin Shroud (supposable the garment Jesus was wrapped in when he was buried) Even if it has been proven that the man imprinted on the cloth is not Jesus, it was still a wonderful thing to see, plus information was written in English so that helped. I went back to Piazza Castello (Plaza of the Castle) and took pictures of the castle standing in the middle. By this time it was late afternoon so I decided to head towards home. I bought some gelato and listened to a street performer play his guitar. On the walk back I stopped off at a Deli and bought a homemade pizza for dinner. That night I baked my pizza and watched two movies I had rented at Blockbuster. The night was very relaxing and most importantly, CHILD FREE.
Watch out Martha Stewart
On Sunday I went to the international church again. The talk was on the prodigal son but there was a twist I had never heard. We focused more on the father in the story and not on the selfish acts of the youngest, and at times the oldest, son(s). After the service I went with my Ghana friends to their Aunt’s house for lunch. The meal was okay but African food kinda weirds me out so I didn’t eat very much. Emmanuel took me home in the afternoon and I relaxed. About 5 I decided to do some baking. I made some banana bread but this was my first time to ever make it so I was nervous it would turn out horrible. I am what you call a HAM cook; hit and miss. But this time I HIT it right out of the park (after all it is baseball season ☺) After dinner the family tried it and the parents liked it. Fil only liked it with jam on it but hey I can’t please everyone. After dinner I helped Pat call hotels in America for their trip in August. What a relief it is to speak with another America. I have friends here that speak English but it’s not the same. You can talk at regular pace and use more slang. This coming week is going to be very trying because I have Fil everyday and both boys every night with no time off. So wish me luck that I don’t cause physical harm to them.
PS. I have updated my pictures so be sure and check out the website
Friday, June 8, 2007
TGIF
Sorry I didn’t post yesterday but there was nothing exciting or positive to say. “Cool Cat” is not going as smoothly as I would like right now. Filippo is pushing all my buttons so please pray that I continue to have patience (I’m running out, especially after he bit me).
Today was a great day. In the morning I walked downtown just to get out of the house. Today was the first day of sunshine in a week. I went to an Interior Design firm and looked at their showroom. They have some amazing things but aren’t very friendly. They said good morning but didn’t ask me if I needed anything (this could be because I look like I’m 18 and can’t afford anything in the store….well that is true….I felt a little like that scene in Pretty Woman. I spent the rest of the time walking in Carlos Ablerto Square and window shopping….the clothes here are so amazing and the window displays are very interesting to say the least. I also visited my favorite store, Blockbuster. I picked up some movies for my off time this weekend. For lunch I fixed a chicken fillet with fresh rosemary and gnocchi with a pesto sauce. I have to say it wasn’t half bad; I just might be able to cook when I get back.
At two I took a nap with Ruggie and then played until Pat and Fil got home from his last day of school. He is now out for the summer and I am kinda dreating this but his sports camp starts in two weeks. At 7 we all went to a track meet. It was an international meeting in an old stadium. Pat fixed sandwiches and we ate outside under the stars. The weather was perfect so it was hard to believe I was at a meet because there was no wind or snow. Several world records were broken, so that was neat to witness. An Italian woman high jumped 6’6” and a guy from Africa (I think) jumped 7’5” AMAZING!! At the end of the meet there was a fireworks show that reviled Simpson/Hoover displays. It was really a good performance set to opera. So happy early Fourth of July.
As for the weekend I half to work in the morning and then I think I’m going with my friends from Ghana somewhere.
PS I need your help. If anyone has any simple receipts (that don’t have two many ingredients) I would love to make the family something “America”, also if anyone has any digitals pictures of Booker, Texas, or Cowboys could you please email them to me at lindsey32@gmail.com Grazie Mille
Today was a great day. In the morning I walked downtown just to get out of the house. Today was the first day of sunshine in a week. I went to an Interior Design firm and looked at their showroom. They have some amazing things but aren’t very friendly. They said good morning but didn’t ask me if I needed anything (this could be because I look like I’m 18 and can’t afford anything in the store….well that is true….I felt a little like that scene in Pretty Woman. I spent the rest of the time walking in Carlos Ablerto Square and window shopping….the clothes here are so amazing and the window displays are very interesting to say the least. I also visited my favorite store, Blockbuster. I picked up some movies for my off time this weekend. For lunch I fixed a chicken fillet with fresh rosemary and gnocchi with a pesto sauce. I have to say it wasn’t half bad; I just might be able to cook when I get back.
At two I took a nap with Ruggie and then played until Pat and Fil got home from his last day of school. He is now out for the summer and I am kinda dreating this but his sports camp starts in two weeks. At 7 we all went to a track meet. It was an international meeting in an old stadium. Pat fixed sandwiches and we ate outside under the stars. The weather was perfect so it was hard to believe I was at a meet because there was no wind or snow. Several world records were broken, so that was neat to witness. An Italian woman high jumped 6’6” and a guy from Africa (I think) jumped 7’5” AMAZING!! At the end of the meet there was a fireworks show that reviled Simpson/Hoover displays. It was really a good performance set to opera. So happy early Fourth of July.
As for the weekend I half to work in the morning and then I think I’m going with my friends from Ghana somewhere.
PS I need your help. If anyone has any simple receipts (that don’t have two many ingredients) I would love to make the family something “America”, also if anyone has any digitals pictures of Booker, Texas, or Cowboys could you please email them to me at lindsey32@gmail.com Grazie Mille
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Fabrizio!!
Last night Pat called her doctor and told her about my nosebleeds. She figured out that I am probably allergic to some aspirin Pat gave me to get over my cold. So today I nursed my nose back to better health. I’m not a 100% yet but not one bleed today so that is a step in the right direction.
The most exciting part of my day was when Fabrizio came to our house. (relax girls) He is a computer repair guy and he came to hook my computer up to the wireless router. It worked!! I now have wireless internet in my room!! I am now writing my blog from the comfort of my own bed.
Today I went to a musical performance for Filippo’s class at his school. His school is so amazing. It is over 80 years old and the rooms were very antique looking. I was fascinated to see inside a real Italian elementary school. The performance was cute and Filippo had a solo, lets just say he didn’t get singing ability from me. When we got home I taught the boys a few games I made up with couch cushions and a mini basketball. We sat on the floor for an hour playing and listening to Disney songs (they are in Italian but I sing the words in English, the boys think this is pretty neat). I am trying these new games and singing as tactics to win their affection, I am calling this new plan Operation Cool Cat. I will keep you posted on the success of this mission.
For dinner tonight the woman from upstairs came and ate with us. We had a wonderful meal with meat, fresh veggies, grissini!!, and torta (cake). Christiana is a lawyer and a young single professional. I sometimes go and talk with her upstairs and on Sunday we had a good conversation outside. She invited me to hang out with her friends one night next week.
Just one side note before I call it a night, I have seen more birthday clowns here than I have ever seen in America, for some strange reason they are very popular here. The clown from yesterday was much better than the one with purple hair. I guess I am becoming an expert on birthday entertainment. So if this au pair thing doesn’t work out I will start a career as a birthday clown…..better start practicing my balloon animal making skills.
Bouna notte!!
The most exciting part of my day was when Fabrizio came to our house. (relax girls) He is a computer repair guy and he came to hook my computer up to the wireless router. It worked!! I now have wireless internet in my room!! I am now writing my blog from the comfort of my own bed.
Today I went to a musical performance for Filippo’s class at his school. His school is so amazing. It is over 80 years old and the rooms were very antique looking. I was fascinated to see inside a real Italian elementary school. The performance was cute and Filippo had a solo, lets just say he didn’t get singing ability from me. When we got home I taught the boys a few games I made up with couch cushions and a mini basketball. We sat on the floor for an hour playing and listening to Disney songs (they are in Italian but I sing the words in English, the boys think this is pretty neat). I am trying these new games and singing as tactics to win their affection, I am calling this new plan Operation Cool Cat. I will keep you posted on the success of this mission.
For dinner tonight the woman from upstairs came and ate with us. We had a wonderful meal with meat, fresh veggies, grissini!!, and torta (cake). Christiana is a lawyer and a young single professional. I sometimes go and talk with her upstairs and on Sunday we had a good conversation outside. She invited me to hang out with her friends one night next week.
Just one side note before I call it a night, I have seen more birthday clowns here than I have ever seen in America, for some strange reason they are very popular here. The clown from yesterday was much better than the one with purple hair. I guess I am becoming an expert on birthday entertainment. So if this au pair thing doesn’t work out I will start a career as a birthday clown…..better start practicing my balloon animal making skills.
Bouna notte!!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
It’s the Hard-Knock Life
Well today was a very tough day in paradise. For some reason the boys are being really big punks. Needless to say today was not fun at all. On top of all that I am still sick. But that’s enough negativity…
Today was the last day of language school, however I am still going to meet with my teacher and practice. I am also going to meet with Alberto’s niece next Tuesday to practice Italian. I spent the rest of the day playing with Ruggero because he is still home with Chicken pox.
Tuesday
Today has been great so far because I stayed home with Ruggie and his nonna (grandma) She is a sweet lady and we have a good time even though we don’t understand half of our conversations. Today she fixed us pasta, meatballs, salad, and of course desert. (Makes me miss my grandmas even more but it is nice to have a nonna over here). At lunch it began to hail so I decided not to go to the train station like I planned earlier. Ruggero is now taking a nap with his grandma and I think I might as well because I still have an awful sinus infection. At 4, Filippo and I are going to a birthday party for a little girl in the neighborhood. I am looking forward to this cause I know the mother and she speaks English so I won’t just be sitting there like the last party. After the party we will come back home and eat dinner with the whole family and then go to bed….Not that exciting lately but hopefully I will begin traveling soon so I will have more to report. Some of you have been asking for my address so because not everyone has an email I will post it here:
Carpenato Family
Corso Galileo Ferraris, 67
10128 Torino, Italy
Today was the last day of language school, however I am still going to meet with my teacher and practice. I am also going to meet with Alberto’s niece next Tuesday to practice Italian. I spent the rest of the day playing with Ruggero because he is still home with Chicken pox.
Tuesday
Today has been great so far because I stayed home with Ruggie and his nonna (grandma) She is a sweet lady and we have a good time even though we don’t understand half of our conversations. Today she fixed us pasta, meatballs, salad, and of course desert. (Makes me miss my grandmas even more but it is nice to have a nonna over here). At lunch it began to hail so I decided not to go to the train station like I planned earlier. Ruggero is now taking a nap with his grandma and I think I might as well because I still have an awful sinus infection. At 4, Filippo and I are going to a birthday party for a little girl in the neighborhood. I am looking forward to this cause I know the mother and she speaks English so I won’t just be sitting there like the last party. After the party we will come back home and eat dinner with the whole family and then go to bed….Not that exciting lately but hopefully I will begin traveling soon so I will have more to report. Some of you have been asking for my address so because not everyone has an email I will post it here:
Carpenato Family
Corso Galileo Ferraris, 67
10128 Torino, Italy
Monday, June 4, 2007
The Weekend
Saturday I woke up still feeling sick but I was on duty so I had to put on a happy face. The morning was not much different from the states. For example when I woke up the boys were watching cartoons (why is anime so popular?) and coco puffs were strung all over the table. Pat wanted to go for a bike ride so I got the boys dressed and took them to the park across the street. I let them play for an hour and a half before going back for lunch. While we were at the park I met a couple that are friends of Pat and Alberto’s. The speak English well and I had a good conversation about how the states are different. It is really hard to explain how the states are different because if you compare NY with Turin it’s almost the same way of life but if you compare Texas with Turin it’s a whole new ballgame. Anyways, after lunch we got Filippo ready for his first all night sleep-over/camp out with Boy Scouts. The rest of the day I spent relaxing and trying to get over my cold. I turned in early to watch a movie on my computer and had to stop due to another nosebleed. Hopefully this will not be an everyday occurrence.
Sunday was AMAZING. On Thursday last week I went out with some new Italian friends. One of the guys asked me to come out to the country on Sunday. Pat’s youngest sister, Louisa, and her boyfriend picked me up at 11:30 and we headed and hour outside to Ricardo’s family house in the country. The drive was absolutely amazing. We past corn, wheat, and rice fields. Come to find out that area is the number one producer of rice in Europe and is the best in quality you can buy on the rice market. The house was tucked away behind a vineyard and stood next to a barely field. The backyard was surrounded by fresh produce; apple trees, peach trees, cherry trees, pear trees, fig trees, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and fresh spices. The house was around eighty years old and complete with barn and wine cellar attached. The whole experience was just like a movie. When we arrived there were around 25-30 people all hugging, kissing cheeks, and talking loudly with hand gestures. The meal consisted of five different fresh cheeses, sliced bread, zucchini, grilled ribs, grilled chicken, rice salad, grissini, and homemade red and white wines. After eating lunch we just sat in the sun and talked and then ate dessert. For the rest of the afternoon we laid around outside talking or sleeping or taking walks through the vineyard. Ricardo’s father took me to the cherry orchard and we picked cherries for everyone. We had a great conversation in English/Italian. After our talk he wants to meet once a week so we can practice both languages, so I’ll let you know how that goes. Finally we said our goodbyes and went back to Torino. But this was by far the best weekend I have had here. I had the best sweet wine of my life, met some incredible people, and was awed by God’s artwork surrounding me.
Sunday was AMAZING. On Thursday last week I went out with some new Italian friends. One of the guys asked me to come out to the country on Sunday. Pat’s youngest sister, Louisa, and her boyfriend picked me up at 11:30 and we headed and hour outside to Ricardo’s family house in the country. The drive was absolutely amazing. We past corn, wheat, and rice fields. Come to find out that area is the number one producer of rice in Europe and is the best in quality you can buy on the rice market. The house was tucked away behind a vineyard and stood next to a barely field. The backyard was surrounded by fresh produce; apple trees, peach trees, cherry trees, pear trees, fig trees, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and fresh spices. The house was around eighty years old and complete with barn and wine cellar attached. The whole experience was just like a movie. When we arrived there were around 25-30 people all hugging, kissing cheeks, and talking loudly with hand gestures. The meal consisted of five different fresh cheeses, sliced bread, zucchini, grilled ribs, grilled chicken, rice salad, grissini, and homemade red and white wines. After eating lunch we just sat in the sun and talked and then ate dessert. For the rest of the afternoon we laid around outside talking or sleeping or taking walks through the vineyard. Ricardo’s father took me to the cherry orchard and we picked cherries for everyone. We had a great conversation in English/Italian. After our talk he wants to meet once a week so we can practice both languages, so I’ll let you know how that goes. Finally we said our goodbyes and went back to Torino. But this was by far the best weekend I have had here. I had the best sweet wine of my life, met some incredible people, and was awed by God’s artwork surrounding me.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
You sunk my battleship
Friday!! Today in language school was the last day for most of the students. I have my last lesson on Monday and then I will be done. It was very relaxed and for the most of class we just talked about the newspaper and what we are going to do for the weekend. Towards the end we met with the other class (advanced students) to play a game of battleship (language style). On the left side column there were verbs and along the top of the page there were verb endings. You had to guess where the ships were located by saying the verb using the right tense (past, present, future, etc.) Apparently Battleship is not that well know across the globe, making me the only one that knew how to play. It was quite amusing trying to explain the game in my broken Italian. Once everyone figured out how to play it was really fun. My team won! ☺
I wish I could say the rest of the day was that fun. I woke up with a head cold and didn’t feel good at all. I had to pick Ruggie up from school at 1 and we came back to the house. Around 2 he laid down for his nap and I joined him. Oh why did naptime pass away with elementary school, we should bring this back to the daily routine. We slept for an hour and half and then watched Shrek 2 in Italian of course. Pat came home early from work and ran some errands with her. Even though I didn’t feel well I needed to get out of the house. At 8 we had a simple meal of rice, veggies and Rabbit. It was not my first time to have rabbit but it was the first time to have it at a house. Alberto was like, “oh you should like it cause don’t you eat wild animals in Texas?” To which I replied, “In my house turkeys are as wild as my family gets.”
Right after dinner I got an intense nose bleed so I am calling it an early night and heading to bed before the sun even goes down (that’s about 9:30 here). As Scarlett says, “Tomorrow is another day” and with that the possibility of feeling better.
I wish I could say the rest of the day was that fun. I woke up with a head cold and didn’t feel good at all. I had to pick Ruggie up from school at 1 and we came back to the house. Around 2 he laid down for his nap and I joined him. Oh why did naptime pass away with elementary school, we should bring this back to the daily routine. We slept for an hour and half and then watched Shrek 2 in Italian of course. Pat came home early from work and ran some errands with her. Even though I didn’t feel well I needed to get out of the house. At 8 we had a simple meal of rice, veggies and Rabbit. It was not my first time to have rabbit but it was the first time to have it at a house. Alberto was like, “oh you should like it cause don’t you eat wild animals in Texas?” To which I replied, “In my house turkeys are as wild as my family gets.”
Right after dinner I got an intense nose bleed so I am calling it an early night and heading to bed before the sun even goes down (that’s about 9:30 here). As Scarlett says, “Tomorrow is another day” and with that the possibility of feeling better.
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